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Discovering cellular network elements

Discovering cellular network elements description/claims

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/939,559, filed on May 22, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention relates to telecommunications and, more particularly, to discovering mobile core network elements.

Communication networks include wired and wireless networks. Example wired networks include the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet. Example wireless networks include cellular networks as well as unlicensed wireless networks that connect to wire networks. Calls and other communications may be connected across wired and wireless networks.

Cellular networks are radio networks made up of a number of radio cells, or cells, that are each served by a base station or other fixed transceiver. The cells are used to cover different areas in order to provide radio coverage over a wide area. When a cell phone moves from place to place, it is handed off from cell to cell to maintain a connection. The handoff mechanism differs depending on the type of cellular network. Example cellular networks include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and CDMA2000. Cellular networks communicate in a radio frequency band licensed and controlled by the government.

Unlicensed wireless networks are typically used to wirelessly connect portable computers, PDAs and other computing devices to the internet or other wired network. These wireless networks include one or more access points that may communicate with computing devices using an 802.11 and other similar technologies.

The present disclosure includes a system and method for discovering network elements. In some implementations, a method includes identifying information indicating a location of a femtocell device. A communication node associated with the femtocell device is identified. A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message including the location information is transmitted to the identified communication node. A response is received requesting that the femtocell device register with a different communication node associated with a cellular core network at least proximate the location.

The details of one or more implementations of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate example call flows for discovering femtocell devices in the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for discovering femtocell devices in the system of FIG. 1.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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